Wilson said RMCC is an affordable community college with an in-county (Polk County) tuition rate of $66 per credit hour, but even with a $990 tuition level for a student carrying a full 15-credit hour load, the Pell Grant changes caused some rather large hurdles for some students, he said.

CASC Vice President of Academic Affairs Jim Yates also attributed the enrollment decline to tougher restrictions on federal student aid, which as of the 2012-13 school year shortened the lifetime limit for receiving Title IV financial aid such as Pell Grants from nine full years to six years. The continued sluggish economy plays a role, too, Yates said.

According to a National Student Clearinghouse Research Center report, college enrollment nationwide dropped 2.3 percent to 19.11 million for the spring semester, following a 1.8 percent dip to 20.2 million at the fall 2012 semester. According to that report, the trend is expected to continue.

ATU reported its 15th consecutive record enrollment at 11,397 students for the overall system, a 3.7 percent jump. Of that number, 2,156 students are enrolled at ATU-Ozark Campus. The branch campus’ fall enrollment marked its ninth consecutive record enrollment — 616 percent enrollment growth over the past decade. ATU-Ozark officials attribute the ongoing growth to the college’s continued focus on being responsive to regional industry training needs.

University of the Ozarks reported slight growth from 576 students last fall to 585 this fall. But U of O officials are pleased because it marks the small university’s first fall-to-fall enrollment growth since 2010, Public Relations Director Larry Isch said.